Patty Knight

Good Morning,It has been a while since I posted last so I must apologize.  I am praying for all those who suffered any damage from the terrible storms running through the country, expecially those around Oklahoma.  As I have said so many times life is precious and too short as none of us are promised tomorrow. Take the time to smell the roses, appreciate the beauty that lies in front of us and most of all tell those you love just how much you love them every day.

Updates, Well I am doing fine, a little tired of the storms and rain and overly anxious to get out in the yard.

I want to remind everyone how important it is to do skin checks…..reminder:  have you check your skin this month?  Have you had anyone check your skin for you?  Tip if you can not see your back side have someone check it for you and a great way to do this is to have them take your phone and snap a quick picture of your back.  You can then look at it yourself and you can compare from month to month to check for changes.  (tip from my dermatologist, Thanks Cassandra Clamen MD.)  I must share that a co-worker found a new mole and had Dr. Clamen remove it last week and is awaiting her results so prayers go out for her that this was benign and just a scare.  I am thankful she not only does her skin checks but she showed this to someone as soon as she found it.  What to look for? Any new moles, any moles that are changing, any moles that are raised up above the level of the skin, any moles that are very dark or black in color.  For a video on how to do a skin check please use the link on the side bar of this page for the melanoma International Foundation, http://www.melanomainternational.org.

June is Melanoma awareness month.  I want to thank Dr. Clamen for asking me to work with her to create a radio add that will air on 5 of our local radio stations for the entire month of June.  This is so exciting and if we can help others understand the dangers of melanoma and the increase of people being diagnosed we can hopefully save a life.  I can begin thanking Dr. Clamen for finding my cancer and all the wonderful oncologist and surgeons who have contributed to saving my life.

I also want to let everyone know that I have been asked to write an article for the lymphadema network quarterly publication.  I will add this link to the side bar as well.  http://www.lymphnet.org/newsletter/newsletter.htm

Lymphadema is one of those side effects from the removal of lymph nodes that must be managed.  With the increase in melanoma we are also seeing an increase in patients suffering from lymphadema.  Please take the time to look at this site as it offers some great insight into understanding and managing lymphadema.

I feel so blessed that I have been asked to help share in the education and awareness of melanoma and lympadema.  I am not sure what God has planned for me in this life but I am thankful for the experiences and opportunities he has placed before me.  Although this journey has not always been easy it has opened my eyes to whats truly important in life, introduced me to many individuals, both in healthcare and patients and friends, and the opportunity to share my experience with other.  God Bless Everyone for being a part of my journey and Bless those who are just beginning their journey.

It has been a while since I posted but I thought it was time I set down and write.  I completed my surgery in January. I developed another staff infection which is now healed.  I completed my follow-up scans last week and I am still waiting on the final report from my oncologist.  My oncologist did say that there were some microscopic cancer cells in the enlarged nodes that were removed but the additional 15 nodes were clean.  What does this mean…..another wait and see what happens.  My ct scan showed a couple new growths in my lungs….not sure yet if it is cancer or not just have to wait and see. My lab work on the other hand was good for a change.   The whole wait and see is really the hardest part.  The unknown.  I have had a lot of fluid retention this time and gained more weight than I like but they reassure me this will resolve in about a year! I have constant pain in my abdomen and pelvis most likely from the scar tissue and yet I refuse to let this silly cancer get the best of me.

I have spent the last year having the doctors tell me we got it and then the follow-up scans show they did not get it.  I have had multiple surgeries, infections, and I still do not know anymore about the odds of my future than I did a year ago.  What does this all mean?  What have I learned?  I have learned that life is short.  I have learned I have an amazing number of friends and support.  I have learned that I am blessed with a great family both blood relatives, friends and co-workers.  I am still alive, I am still able to wake up each day and get out of bed.  I have learned that all the small things that used to upset me were just a waste of time and energy.  We need to focus on today, live in the moment and do everything we can and want as tomorrow is not promised to anyone.  We need to be thankful for the good things we have in our life and spend our days focusing on positive thoughts and know that no matter how bad things may seem there are always more things that are good if we just take the time focus on what we do have.  Life is a journey and it is up to us to make this journey exciting and interesting.  So its time to make that bucket list and start to fulfill your dreams.  One day you will look back and be thankful you enjoyed your journey and you will not have regrets for all the things you wished you would have done while you could.

Tomorrow is never promised to anyone

Dance until your feet ache

Laugh until your side hurts

Say I love you to those you love

for tomorrow may never come.

Life is short,

Time is fast,

No replay,

No rewind,

So enjoy every moment as it comes.

Live Life for the moment because everything else is uncertain…..Louis Tomlinson

I can not tell everyone how sorry I am that it has taken so long to post this but recovery has been long.  I am doing well but it was a bit rough as I not only had the surgery I also had a touch of the flu!  All I could do is take pain medication and sleep and I felt absolutely miserable.  I am doing much better, over the flu and beginning to heal.  I am swollen, big belly but that is to be expected.  I start back up with the lymphadema clinic next week to get the fluid retention under control.  I also have an open hole in the right side of my abdomen that I have to pack but hopefully it will begin to close soon.  The pain in my abdomen and pelvic area is now tolerable so I have stopped the pain meds, they were making me crazy!

On a good note.  I could not be more thankful for all the prayers and support.  I am giving credit to all of you for your prayers as I believe that is what has helped me get through this and saved me.  I found out that all the lymph nodes above the enlarged nodes were free of any cancer.  They took out 15 nodes higher up in the lymph chain on both the right and left side.  This means they will do a follow up in three months and if there still is no cancer I will not need to do any additional treatments.  Yea I am so excited.  I am gong to beat this and its all due to your prayers being answered.  Thank you just is not enough, I will be eternally grateful to all of you.

I also want to mention all the wonderful people I have met along the way.  I met a very nice family in St. Louis the night before my surgery.  I pray they are doing well and that the father/husband is also doing well.  Thanks to Sr. Mary Alice for having Father hold several masses for me.  Thanks to the hockey family.  Thanks to everyone at Healogics and I am so bummed I missed them all this week at our quarterly meeting.  Thanks to the Barreiro family for the nice messages that put a smile on my face when I was feeling so bad.  I love you all.

In the world today they say it is hard to find true friends, honest and sincere people but I have been blessed with all of you and it is all of you that make the world a better place.

God’s Messengers

The unexpected kindness from an unexpected place,

A hand outstretched in friendship,

a smile on someone’s face

A word of understanding spoken in a time of trial

Are unexpected miracles

that make life more worthwhile.

We know not how it happened that in an hour of need

Somebody out of nowhere

proved to be a friend indeed….

For God has many messengers we fail to recognize,

 but he sends them when we need them,

and his ways are wondrous and wise….

So keep looking for an angel

and keep listening to hear,

For on life’s busy, crowded streets,

you will find God’s presence near.

Aurhor: Helen Steiner Rice

You are all Angels sent from God………

Follow up 12/22/12.

Well here I am with yet another plan for treatment….What….Yes thats what I said.  First I am scheduled for surgery then the surgery is cancelled so that we can do the BRaf testing and start treatments.  Now I am told that Mayo clinic said there was not enough tissue on the tissue block to do the Braf testing. So once again the surgery has been re-scheduled for January 3rd.  I am meeting with the surgeon in St. Louis on the 2nd to discuss the new treatment plan after the surgery.  OK well this is what I think.  Life is short, Life is full of unexpected twists and turns, we can not control the situations that surround us but we can control how we respond to those situations.  As Sister Mary Alice said we need to just live in the NOW.  I choose to be happy, make the most of every situation, as even the most stressful and trying situations offer us great wisdom.  As for me I have learned that we should not stress over our future plans as they may change, we should be patient as God will take care of us if we just slow down  and enjoy the moment that he has blessed us with.  Look for our the blessings that have been delivered to us as sometimes God gives us gifts we miss while we are stuck spending our time dwelling on the negatives and what if’s and why.

I am so thankful for all the family and friends who have taken the time in their busy life to stop and be supportive to me and my family.  We really never know how blessed we are until something happens, like being diagnosed with cancer, that we see just how much love surrounds us. This love that swells in my heart is a feeling that I can not put into words but it is truly the best gift anyone could ever receive.

While I am saying thanks I would like to add that this Christmas would and should have been a tough one as we have lost a husband, father to my children, we lost a grandmother who was not only a grandmother but a best friend.  The feeling of loss saddens our hearts but our hearts have been filled with love and support that overflows the once empty heart.  Thank you to all my friends, even those who I have not seen or spoke to in a while, Jane Mikell, and for all my neighbors who help me out daily, to all the Dominican Sisters at  Sacred Heart Convent who have taken us in, especially Sr. Mary Alice who is like another grandmother who has taken us in as if we were her own flesh and blood.  Thank you too for all the prayers from my dear friends / Franciscan Sisters out at the Mother House who pray for me regularly.  thank you to my family at St. John’s Hospital who have all been so supportive, and for my dear friends and co-workers at Healogics who take care of all my needs and much more.  Then last but not least thank you for my family and friends who take care of me and helping me and the boys daily, this includes the family at the WCC, the new Hockey families, and all of my close friends, both near and far.  I am sure I can not mention everyone but know each and everyone of you are special to me, reside in my heart and I think of you all every day in my own daily reflections.   THANK YOU ALL FOR BLESSING ME AND MY FAMILY WITH YOUR LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP.

The Gift of Friendship by Helen Steiner Rice:

The Gift of Friendship

Friendship is a priceless gift that

cannot be bought or sold

But its value is far greater than a mountain made of gold-

For gold is cold and lifeless,

it can neither see nor hear,

And in the time of trouble it is powerless to cheer.

It has no ears to listen, no heart to understand,

It cannot bring you comfort

or reach out a helping hand-

So when you ask God for a gift, be thankful if He sends

Not diamonds, pearls, or riches,

but the love of real true friends.

God Bless You All

Well here I sit with nothing new to share.  Wow the worst part of this whole thing is the waiting.  My Braf testing is still not back from Mayo Clinic.  I guess it could be another week or two!  On one hand this could  mean no bad news before Christmas on the other hand the waiting is agonizing.  I am feeling pretty good so I can’t complain.  I have made plans for Christmas.  The boys and I are going to get up early and we will volunteer again this year to serve breakfast at the overflow shelter or the salvation army, whichever needs us.  This is such a great way to begin your Christmas morning.  This is the day to give your time, share your heart, be thankful for what we have and for what we can do to help others recognize what they have to be thankful for.     Later we will return home for a delicious home cooked meal and time sharing stories with family and creating new memories that will be cherished for many years.

I have included a couple new links at the bottom right side of the main page.  Please take a moment and click on the links.  I have recently included a link “Phil’s Friends”.  Please take a moment to check this site out.  This is an amazing group of individuals who help provide faith-based support and encouragement to those fighting cancer.   They have been so encouraging, I receive the most precious letters from children who have taken the time to draw pictures and write encouraging inspirational messages, jokes whatever they think will brighten my day and it does.  It is amazing to know just how much love is out there in the world.  If I could ask for one Christmas wish it would be to have everyone support a non-profit organization this year.  Can you spare an hour this year?  Can you spare a dollar?  The smallest gift whether money or time spent working with an organization will make the difference in someone’s life.

God Bless You All.

Quote:

As I live each day

May I do my part

To make a difference and

touch one heart

Each day it is my goal

To bring smiles & Laughter

into a soul

(author unknown)